Electric pressing iron

ABSTRACT

An electric pressing iron having a valve for feeding water slowly from a tank to a steam-generating cavity in a soleplate as well as a pump for feeding water rapidly into said cavity with the result that steam can issue through the discharge ports in the bottom of the soleplate selectively at a relatively low velocity or at a very high velocity for deeply penetrating the fabric being ironed. In addition, the pump can be used to supply water to a spray nozzle positioned in a handle for spraying water particles in front of the soleplate.

United Stats atet Inventors Jerry P. Gmnwick [56] References Cited Park Ridge; UNfTED STATES PATENTS 310mm J. Westphal. South Elgm, both 2,782,537 2/1957 Vera-Mege 38/7783 3,130.50? 4/1964 Hoecker 38/77 5 2553' 333 [969 3,l65,843 1/1965 Willman 38/ 7 s3 Patented ug 971 1188.758 6/1965 Denton 38/775 Assignee Sunbeam Corporalion Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Chicago, Ill. 4zmmeyGeorge R Clark ABSTRACT: An electric pressing iron having a valve for feed- ELECTRIC PRESSING [RON mg water slowly from a tank to a steam-generating cavity ma 33 i 8 Drawin Figs. soleplate as well as a pump for feeding water rapidly into said g cavity with the result that steam can issue through the US. Cl 38/775, discharge ports in the bottom of the soleplate selectively at a 38/77.83 relatively low velocity or at a very high velocity for deeply Int. D06f 75/06 penetrating the fabric being ironed. In addition, the pump can Field of Search 38/775, be used to supply water to a spray nozzle positioned in a han- 79, 77.83 dle for spraying water particles in front of the soleplate 58 1 i n m 25 l I A s k \MA 15' I 7 4.. i r

I j l \92 l l 22 38 .98 5 1 Q1 10 ELECTRIC PRESSING IRON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an electric ironing device and, more particularly, to an improved electric pressing iron having means to discharge steam and minute water particles.

In recent years, consumers have demonstrated a strong preference for electric pressing irons capable of producing and discharging steam for facilitating the ironing operation by relaxing so-called stubborn or deep-set wrinkles in the fabric. These irons normally consist of a cast aluminum soleplate having an electric sheathed heater embedded therein. Overlying the soleplate is a water tank connected to feed water into a steam-generating cavity defined in the soleplate, which cavity leads to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of the soleplate whereby water entering the cavity is converted into steam by the heat supplied by the heater and the steam is discharged through the ports into the material being ironed. A suitable handle is assembled over the tank and normally carries the controls for regulating the temperature of the soleplate as well as means for actuating the steaming operation by controlling a valve disposed in the water conduit between the tank and the soleplate steam-generating cavity. In some irons, a spray nozzle is mounted on the handle for spraying fine water particles in front of the soleplate for dampening clothes prior to ironing. A pumping means is employed to force water from the tank through this nozzle.

To provide improved steam distribution from the iron soleplate, steam irons are being manufactured with a large number of steam ports spread over the entire bottom surface of the soleplate. An iron of this type is shown in Vieceli U.S. Pat. No. 3,304,636 which is assigned to the same assignee as in the present application. With the advent of steam irons having a greatly increased number of steam ports, the amount of steam and the exit velocity of the steam by necessity is reduced from each port. The reason for this reduction is that the total amount or quantity of steam generated by an electric iron is limited by the wattage of the iron, which in turn is limited by the amount of electrical current that can be reasonably drawn from a household outlet without overtaxing the circuit and blowing a fuse. In most instances, the wattage for an electric steam iron does not substantially exceed 1200 watts. It follows, therefore, that since the ability of a steam iron to produce steam is limited, the increase in the number of steam ports results in less steam exiting from each port. Furthermore, the amount of steam coming from each port and, more particularly, the velocity with which it leaves the steam port is an important factor affecting the penetration of the steam into the fabric being ironed. It is highly desirable to have deep steam penetration under certain conditions, such as when ironing heavy or thick fabrics, when setting a crease in a thick pleated skirt where the material is folded back and forth a number of times or where there are stubborn or deep-set wrinkles to be removed.

When a steam iron is being used in its steaming mode, it normally distributes the steam uniformly over the ironed surface due to the customary back and forth motion used in ironing. There are occasions where localized steaming is desired, such as when removing the previously referred to stubborn wrinkles from a given area in the material being ironed. The iron cannot be held stationary on the troublesome area without the risk of scorching or burning the cloth. If the iron has a spray nozzle, then water can be sprayed onto the troublesome spot, but this procedure requires considerable time, includes the risk of spotting the fabric and the sprayed water does not penetrate the cloth very effectively. In many cases, the user merely goes back and forth over the wrinkle until it is removed. However, such a procedure is time consuming and fatiguing.

The solution to this situation is an iron which has the capability of issuing a relatively large volume of steam in a short time period having great penetrating power due to the velocity with which it discharges through the ports in the soleplate. This iron should be able to produce this additional volume of steam immediately upon demand so that as the device is steam ironing a cloth, the deep-penetrating steam can be immediately sent into the needed area if a stubborn wrinkle is observed. Moreover, the sudden call for additional steam should not interfere with the normal steaming operation. That is to say, the operator should be able to use the normal steaming feature and, without starting or stopping the normal steam mode, be able to deliver an additional supply of deep-penetrating steam into a given area. To increase the effectiveness of this iron, the deep-penetrating steam should be discharged from all of the ports distributed over the bottom of the iron so that the operator does not have to exercise great precision in aligning the ports in the bottom of the soleplate with the stubborn wrinkles.

In addition to having the ability to issue an immediate burst of deep-penetrating steam, it would be desirable if the iron could also spray fine particles of water in front of the soleplate without the spraying feature appreciably increasing the manufacturing cost thereof. When ironing delicate fabrics, it is necessary to operate the soleplate at a relatively low temperature to prevent damage thereto. At such low operating temperature, steam cannot be effectively generated. Thus, the versatility of the iron would be increased if the spray mechanism could be provided at a reasonably low manufacturing cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the improved electric steam iron of the present invention includes a soleplate having an electric heater. The soleplate is provided with a steam-generating labyrinth which leads to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom of the soleplate. A pumping means is used to supply water rapidly from a water tank which overlies the soleplate into the steam-generating labyrinth. As an additional feature, valve means can be disposed between the tank and the labyrinth for feeding water thereto at a slow rate of flow. The control for the valve means and pumping means are independently operated. As a further feature of the invention, a spray nozzle can be utilized for spraying water in front of the iron, and valving means selectively feeds water from the pumping means to either the labyrinth or the spray nozzle.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electric steam iron having effective means for discharging steam from the bottom of the iron at a relatively high velocity.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved electric steam iron having means for selectively discharging steam at a low velocity capable of penetrating a thick fabric.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved steam iron having pumping means for rapidly introducing water into a steam-generating chamber in the soleplate or for forcing water to a spray nozzle for spraying water in front of the iron.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had-to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation sectional view of an electric pressing iron embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the soleplate with the cover removed to expose the steam labyrinth;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the soleplate cover;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view ofthe cover taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cover depicting the surface which abuts against the top of the soleplate;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation sectional view disclos ing the connection between the pump disposed within the water tank-and the soleplate cover;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 2 except that a portion of the cover and pumping system is included; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation sectional view of an alternate embodiment which includes a spray nozzle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown an electric pressing iron generally designated by the reference numeral 20. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the iron includes a soleplate 22 having a cover 23 over which is supported a water tank 25 with a water sight gauge 26 attached to its upper surface. Overlying the upper surface of the soleplate 22 and enclosing the water tank 25 is a shell 28 to which is attached a looped handle 30 having a front upright portion 31, a rear upright portion 32, upper hand-gripping portion 33 and lower saddle portion 34. In order to give the user a visual indication of the quantity of water contained within tank 25, the sight gauge 26 projects through the iron saddle portion 34, and the sight gauge is adapted to be read when the iron is in its stable upended position. The water tank 25 can be conveniently filled by pouring water through fill opening 36 in the handle front upright portion 31. For the purpose of heating the soleplate 22, a U- shaped sheathed electric heater 38 is embedded within the soleplate. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the heater has a toe or bight 38a, left leg 38b and right leg 38c. Preferably, the soleplate is formed of aluminum which readily transmits the heat from the heater 38, and it is fabricated by a casting technique which facilitates the embedding of the heater 38 therein. For controlling the energization of the heater 38 and for regulating the temperature of the soleplate 22, there is provided a thermostat which is generally designated by reference numeral 40 which includes a bimetallic element 41 in good heat transfer relationship with the-soleplate at a point approximately in the middle of the heater 38 and towards the rear of the soleplate. The soleplate has a generally standard outer configuration with a front pointed toe 43, a relatively flat rear 44, a left side 45 and a right side 46. To selectively set the thermostat 40, a lever 47 extends through a slot 48 in the handle front upright portion 31 immediately above the fill opening 36, and the lever is attached to rotatable cam 49, the rotation of which determines the vertical displacement of link 50 which extends through the water tank 25 and is attached at its lower end to the thermostat 40.

When it is desired to use the electric pressing iron 20 in a steaming mode, the user pushes downwardly on lever 53 located immediately above handle slot 48 causing the lever 53 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction viewed in FIG. 1 with the result that rod 54, which is connected at its upper end to the lever 53, moves upwardly opening a gravity feed valve 56 disposed at the bottom of tank 25 to establish fluid communication between the tank 25 and the soleplate 22. The valve 56 includes a hollow post 57 rigidly staked to the cover 23 and a hollow bolt 58 which is threadedly attached to the post 57 locking the tank 25 securely therebetween. The bottom end of the rod 54 extends through the bolt 58 and is related thereto so that in the lower position of rod 54, the valve 56 is closed, and in the upper position of rod 54, the valve 56 is open allowing water to slowly drip through an orifice 56a into the soleplate 22 at the flow rate of approximately 12 grams per minute.

When it is desired to have the deep-penetrating steam mode, the user presses button 60 located at the top of the handle front upright portion 31 thereby forcing plunger rod 62 downwardly to actuate a pump 64 causing water from the tank 25 to flow through conduit 66 to an injection valve 70 which is in fluid communication with the soleplate 22, as is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The sudden rush of water into the soleplate 22 causes a sudden generation of steam in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter. The pump 64 includes an upper guiding member 72 through which the plunger rod 62 extends, a cylinder 73 in which a piston 74 reciprocates, a lower downwardly extending inlet 75 through which water from the tank 25 enters into the bottom of cylinder 73 and a ball valve 76 which permits water to enter the cylinder 73 through the lower inlet 75 upon the upward movement of the piston 74 and also restricting the flow of water in cylinder 73 to movement only into conduit 66 upon the downward movement of piston 74. The operation and structure of pump 64 is conventional and is easily understood by those'skilled in the art. The injection valve 70 includes a hollow threaded stud 80 to which is attached one end of the conduit 66, a hollow collar 81 which is in threaded engagement with stud 80 thereby clamping the valve 70 to the bottom of the tank 25 and a ball valve 82 which is urged upwardly by a coil spring 83 thereby permitting fluid to flow only in the direction from the pump 64 to the soleplate 22. A single actuation of button 60 causes the pump 64 to deliver approximately one-half a gram of water to the injection valve 70 and soleplate 22. Disposed between the injection valve 70 and the soleplate cover 23 is a resilient sleeve 85 preferably formed from a suitable pliable silicone rubber. The sleeve 85 is held at it upper end against an annular shoulder 86 at the lower end of collar 81, and its lower end is received in an annular shoulder 87 formed in the cover 23. Centrally positioned within cover shoulder 87 is an aperture 88 permitting the water from the valve 70 to enter into the soleplate 22. The resiliency of the sleeve 85 establishes a fluid seal at its juncture with both the collar shoulder 86 and the cover shoulder 87. However, if for any reason thepressure within the soleplate 22 or the sleeve 85 should become unexpectedly excessive, the sleeve is sufficiently pliable to allow the fluid to escape between the valve 70 and the cover 23 thereby immediately reducing the pressure to Y the desired level. Thus, in a sense, the resilient sleeve 85 acts as a relief means or valve preventing an excessive pressure buildup in the soleplate.

In accordance with the present invention, the soleplate 22 is cast to define a first relatively large steam-generating chamber 92 near the heating element toe 380, a second relatively small steam-generating chamber 94 lying between the heating element 38 near the right leg 38c and a steam labyrinth 96 which is in fluid communication with the aforementioned chambers. The steam labyrinth 96 provides a tortuous path which will be hereinafter described in greater detail and which leads to a plurality of steam discharge ports 98 in bottom surface 100 of the soleplate 22. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the steam discharge ports 98 are disposed on both sides of the heating element 38 and extend substantially the entire length of the heating element with the result that the ports are fairly well distributed over the entire steam iron bottom surface 100. The chambers 92 and 94 and the steam labyrinth 96 are enclosed 'by the cover 23 so that steam generated in the chambers is forced through the steam labyrinth and exits through the discharge ports. As seen in FIG. 5, the bottom of cover 23 is formed with complementary recesses which cooperate with the soleplate 22 in the formation of chambers 92 and 94 and steam labyrinth 96. When the iron is being used in the steaming mode with the lever 53 depressed so that the gravity feed valve 56 is open allowing water from the tank 25 to drip through orifice 56a into steam-generating chamber 92, the water normally falls into the chamber at approximately spot 102 as indicated in FIG. 2. Basically, the chamber 92 is triangularly shaped and has a centrally disposed transversely extending curved wall 103 for preventing water from running out of the chamber 92 when the iron is rotated to its upended position. Thus, as the iron is being used, it is frequently placed in its upright position while the operator manipulates the clothes being ironed, and the upending of the iron does not cause water which is in chamber 92 to drip out of the discharge ports 98. As water is fed into the chamber 92 at approximately the spot 102, it is converted into steam and moves through passageway 105 into the steam labyrinth 96 and out discharge ports 98. Steam is generated in chamber 92 at a rate that permits steam to generally discharge through the ports 98 at a relatively low velocity. Such steaming action is satisfactory for most steam ironing needs and does not overtax the steamproducing capacity of the heating element 38 which preferably has a 1,200 wattage rating.

During the ironing operation, when it is necessary to remove a so-called stubborn wrinkle or one which is deep set, the user guides the soleplate 22 over the wrinkle and presses button 60 actuating pump 64 to deliver approximately onehalf gram of water from the tank 25 to the second chamber 94. The water entering chamber 94 through nozzle 70 is under pressure due to the action of the pump 64 so that it enters the chamber 94 rapidly, and any pressure built up within the chamber does not impede the entrance of the water. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the water entering chamber 94 strikes the chamber at approximately spot 107. The chamber 94 is connected to the steam labyrinth 96 by a passageway 109. Integrally formed with the soleplate 22 is an upright wall or dam 111 extending transversely across the passageway 109. The dam 111 serves a threefold purpose, the first of which is to initially retain the water which is introduced into chamber 94 from running along the passageway 102 to the steam labyrinth 96, secondly, to restrict the cross-sectional area of the passageway 109 causing the water leaving the chamber 96 after steam is initially generated to do so with great velocity and, lastly, to prevent water which enters chamber 92 through valve 70 from flowing into chamber 94. In operation, a portion of the water which is rapidly pumped into the relatively small chamber 94 is converted into steam, and this steam hurtles the remainder of the water down passageway 109 and over dam 111 with the result that the water is shot with great velocity into the steam labyrinth 96. An important feature of the present invention is the angular relationship between the passageway 105 and the passageway 109. Since it is desired to have the steam leave the soleplate with great velocity, it is desirable that the water and steam from chamber 94 tend not to go into the relatively large chamber 92. This is effectively accomplished by having passageway 105 at an acute angle to the passageway 109 whereby water and steam from chamber 94 would have to change direction by an angle greater than 90 in order to enter into chamber 92 through passageway 105. Thus, although chambers 92 and 94 are in direct fluid communication with each other, the relatively large volume of chamber 92 does not reduce the effectiveness of the steam generated in chamber 94 by the steam expanding into the chamber 92. Instead, most of the steam and water leaving chamber 94 enter into the steam labyrinth 96 without being diverted into chamber 92.

For the iron to be used effectively by the operator, it is desirable for the water to be quickly pumped into chamber 94 while water still is slowly being fed into chamber 92. Thus, the operator can steam iron in the normal manner, and, whenever a troublesome or wrinkled area is noticed, the operator can simply depress button 60 causing a sudden generation of steam which leaves the bottom of the soleplate with great velocity and penetrating power. That is to say, it is not neccssary for the operator to run off the regular steaming operation which deposits water into chamber 92 in order to utilize the deep-penetrating steam which is issued from the soleplate when the button 60 is pressed. Inasmuch as water is normally being fed steadily into chamber 92, it is desirable for chamber 94 to remain relatively hot and unaffected by water entering into chamber 92. For this reason, chamber 94 is spaced away from chamber 92, and chamber 94 is surrounded by a mass of material which can be considered as a heat sink, which heat sink is in contact with a portion of the heater leg 380. With this relationship, the chamber 94 can be maintained at a relatively hot temperature at a given setting of the thermostat 40 while at the same time water is being fed from the tank 25 into the chamber 92 causing a cooling effect on this chamber. Moreover, the dam 111 prevents water from chamber 92 en tering into chamber 94 and cooling it. 1

Water that is carried rapidly by steam from chamber 94 over dam 111 along passageway 109 enters the labyrinth 96 by striking against curved wall 113 which breaks up the water and deflects it so that it follows along U-shaped wall 114 whereupon the water is further broken up into fine particles by inwardly extending projections 116. After the water particles have run the gamut of passing a plurality of projections 1 16, their direction is again reversed at points 1 l8 and 1 19. At point 119 there is a wall or dam 120 which tends to prevent water from running to the discharge ports 98 when water has been inserted into the chambers while the soleplate is relatively cool. Upon reaching point 119, the steam and fine water particles, sometimes referred to as atomized water spray, are divided to go down passageway 122 or 123, which passageways lead to opposite sides of the soleplate. That portion of the steam which goes down passageway 122 is fed to a passageway 125 defined between the soleplate 22 and the portion of cover 23 above the heater leg 38c. The passageway 125 leads to those steam discharge ports 98 along the soleplate right side 46. Similarly, the steam and mist passing through passageway 123 leads to passageway 126 defined between the soleplate 22 and the cover 23 for directing the steam to those discharge ports 98 along the soleplate left side 45. By the time the steam and water mist reach the discharge points 98, a great deal of the mist has been converted into steam. However, it should be appreciated that the mist is broken into such fine particles that it does not water stain the material being ironed. Furthermore, the water particles discharge from the ports 98 with such great velocity that the particles have the capability of penetrating the cloth to thereby be converted to water vapor deep within the cloth or fabric.

From the above-detailed discussion, it is believed that the operation of the preferred embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1 7 is easily understood by one skilled in the art, but, briefly, the iron is capable of operating in two modes, which modes may be used simultaneously or at different times. When steam ironing, the lever 53 is moved downwardly by the operator allowing water from tank 25 to flow into steamgenerating chamber 92 to be converted into steam which exits through the discharge ports 98 at a relatively low velocity. When a troublesome wrinkle is observed, the operator merely places the soleplate over the wrinkle and presses button 60 causing water to be very rapidly forced under pressure into chamber 94 wherein the generation of steam hurtles the remaining water into the steam labyrinth 96 with very little tendency of the steam and water from chamber 94 to enter into chamber 92. The forcing of water under pressure into chamber 94 causes an almost immediate eruption of steam from all of the steam discharge ports 98, which steam leaves at a relatively high velocity to permit deep penetration of the material being ironed. The water pumped into chamber 94 and converted into steam shoots out the ports 98 in about 1 second. The egression of steam from the bottom of the soleplate follows so quickly the pressing of the button 60 that the operator tends to think that the response of steam occurs instantly upon the actuation of the button. This speed of operation is in keeping with the great speed with which the steam leaves the iron and greatly facilitates the usefulness of the iron whereby the operator does not have to wait for the deep-penetrating steam to relax the fabric to remove stubborn wrinkles. It is important to note that the steam generated from both chamber 92 and chamber 94 exits through all of the steam discharge ports 98. Therefore, since the steam discharge ports 98 are uniformly distributed over the soleplate bottom surface 100, the operator does not need to use great precision in aligning the discharge ports with the wrinkles in the cloth.

In FIG. 8 there is disclosed an alternate iron embodiment which has the added feature of being able to spray water in front of the iron. As seen in this figure, the parts which are very similar to those shown in the first embodiment carry the same reference numerals. In this arrangement, the actuation of rod 54 operates the gravity feed valve 56 to permit water from the tank to enter into the soleplate steam-generating cavity generally indicated by the reference numeral 130. Moreover, the downward actuation of plunger rod 62 actuates the pump 64 to force water from the tank 25 into a connector conduit 132 leading to a two-way flow control valve 135. It should be appreciated that the pump and two-way flow control valve can be combined into a single unit if desired. Leading upwardly from the two-way valve 135 is a conduit 136 which at its upper end is connected to a fluid spray nozzle 137 which is aligned to spray water directly in front of the soleplate 22. Preferably, the spray nozzle 137 is constructed the same as and operates in the same manner as the nozzle disclosed in Vieceli U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,764 which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Also connected to valve 135 is conduit 140 which leads downwardly to and is connected with one-way injection valve 143 which is similar in structure and function to valve 70. The valve 143 is secured to the soleplate cover 145 and serves to deliver water from pump 64 to the steam-generating cavity 130. It should be understood that the steam-generating cavity 130 connects to a suitable steam labyrinth which is in fluid communication with the plurality of steam discharge ports 98, only one of which is shown in FIG. 8. The two-way flow control valve 135 is operated by a rotatable shaft 147 which in turn is actuated by a suitable lever (not shown) extending through the handle front upright portion 31 in order for the operator to conveniently rotate the shaft 147. The rotation of the shaft 147 rotates valve spool 149 connecting the pump 64 to either the nozzle 137 or the injection valve 143. That is to say, when the valve spool 149 is rotated to one position, the water from pump 64 passing through connector conduit 132 enters the valve 135, passes through the valve spool 149 and goes through conduit 140 to injection valve 143 or, if rotated to the other position, permits the pump to pass water under pressure through connector 132, valve spool 149, conduit 136 to nozzle 137. Therefore, the operator, by selecting the correct angular disposition of the shaft 147, orients the valve spool 149 so that the pump can force water either to the soleplate steam-generating cavity 130 to obtain the deep-penetrating steam from discharge ports 98 or to nozzle 137 to spray water in front of the iron. Thus, when the operator wishes to remove a wrinkle from a heavy fabric, the pump can be utilized to inject water into the steamgenerating cavity under pressure causing steam to discharge from the steam ports 98 with great velocity, or the operator can select to use the pump to spray water in front of the iron for ironing delicate fabrics at a thermostat setting which does not permit the effective generation of steam within the soleplate 22. It should be noted that the controls for regulating the temperature of the soleplate, the normal steaming mode where water is introduced into the steam-generating cavity through gravity feed valve 56 and the means for selecting the delivery of water from the pump to either the nozzle or the steamgenerating cavity, as well as the pump-actuating mechanism, are all conveniently located at the handle front upright portion 31 whereby the user may selectively actuate these controls while gripping the handle upper portion 33, and these controls are easily visible during the normal operation of the iron.

While there have been shown and described several embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications may occur, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What we claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate, an electric heater for said soleplate, a water tank overlying said soleplate, said soleplate defining first and second steam-generating chambers both of which are in fluid communication with a tortuous steam passageway extending to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, a valve for permitting water to flow from said tank to said first steamgenerating chamber wherein the water is transformed into steam which passes through said passageway and is discharged through said ports, pump means for rapidly supplying water from said tank to said second steam-generating chamber wherein steam generated therein is forced out through said passageway and discharged from said ports with greater speed when water is pumped into said chamber than when water flows into said first chamber through said valve.

2. The electric steam iron of claim 1 wherein said soleplate defines means for restricting the passage of steam and water from said second chamber to said first chamber.

3. The electric iron of claim 2 wherein said soleplate is provided with means for restricting the flow of water from said first chamber from entering said second chamber.

4. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate, an electric heater for said soleplate, a water tank overlying said soleplate, said soleplate defining first and second steam-generating chambers both of which are in fluid communication with a steam labyrinth extending to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, a valve for permitting water to flow from said tank to said first steamgenerating chamber, pump means for rapidly supplying water from said tank to said second steam-generating chamber wherein steam can be forced out through said ports with greater speed when water is pumped into said second chamber than when water flows into said first chamber through said valve, a handle secured to said soleplate, a separate nozzle disposed of in the front end of said handle, a conduit means connecting said pump and said nozzle, and valve means for selectively directing water from said pump to either of said nozzle or said second chamber.

5. The electric steam iron of claim 4 including means for controlling said valve, said valve means and said pump, said last-mentioned means being disposed at the front of said handle where it can be easily seen and operated by the user while holding said iron handle.

6. The electric steam iron of claim 1 including a handle secured to said soleplate, a button which when pressed actuates said pump, said button being positioned on the top of said handle at the forward end thereof.

7. In an electric steam iron comprising a cast soleplate having an electric heater embedded therein, a water tank overlying and secured to said soleplate, said soleplate being provided with a tortuous steam passageway connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, a first steam-generating chamber in said soleplate in fluid connection with said passageway, a valve for controlling the flow of water from said tank to said first chamber, a second steamgenerating chamber being disposed near said heater and in fluid connection with said passageway, pump means for introducing water rapidly from said tank into said second chamber, means for impeding the flow of water from said valve to said second chamber.

8. In the steam iron of claim 7 wherein said last-mentioned means is a wall extending transversely across a passageway between said second chamber and said steam passageway.

9. In the steam iron of claim 8 wherein said wall reduces the cross-sectional area of said passageway with the result that a portion of the water introduced into said second chamber by said pump is converted into steam which propels the water over said wall with great velocity, said tortuous steam passageway having means for breaking into small particles the water from said second chamber and for converting at least a portion ofthe water particles into steam.

10. An electric pressing steam iron comprising a cast soleplate having an electric heater embedded therein, a water tank overlying and secured to said soleplate, said soleplate being provided with a tortuous steam passageway connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, said soleplate defining a first steam-generating chamber in fluid connection with said passageway, means controlling the flow of water from said tank to said first chamber, said soleplate including a second steam-generating chamber connected to said passageway, pump means for introducing rapidly water from said tank into said second chamber, said soleplate forming a heat sink contiguous to said second chamber and said heater, said heat sink being remote from said first chamber so that the water entering therein is substantially ineffective in reducing the temperature of said heat sink whereby the water being fed into said first chamber does not inhibit the ability of said second chamber to quickly convert the water from said pump means into steam.

11. The electric pressing steam iron of claim 10 including a second passageway connecting said first chamber with said tortuous steam passageway and a third passageway connecting said second chamber with said tortuous steam passageway, at least one of said second and third passageways being provided with means for impeding the flow of water from said first chamber to said second chamber in order to prevent the water from said first chamber from cooling said second chamber.

12. The electric pressing steam iron of claim 11 wherein said second and third passageways are angled with respect to each other whereby the steam and water from said second chamber tends to go into said tortuous steam passageway rather into said first chamber.

13. The electric pressing steam iron of claim 10 including control means for regulating the flow of water from said tank to said chambers wherein water can selectively flow into both chambers simultaneously, into only said first chamber or into only said second chamber.

14. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate having a U-shaped electric heater and a steam labyrinth connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, a water tank overlying and secured to said soleplate, a relatively large steam-generating chamber in said soleplate lying within said U-shaped heater and connected to said labyrinth, means for permitting water to flow at a relatively slow rate from said tank to said large chamber for the generation of steam which discharges through said ports, a relatively small steam-generating chamber in said soleplate lying within said U-shaped heater and connected to said labyrinth, means for forcing water at a relatively fast rate of flow from said tank to said small chamber for generating steam which discharges through the same ports as the steam from said large chamber,

15. The electric steam iron of claim 14 wherein said discharge ports are disposed on both sides of said heater for substantially its entire length.

16. The electric steam iron of claim 14 wherein said chambers are positioned near the closed end of said heater, thermostatic control means for regulating the energization of said heater secured to said soleplate within said U-shaped heater near the open end thereof, said labyrinth extending between said chambers and the position where said thermostatic control means is secured to said soleplate.

17. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate and an electric heater therefor, a water tank disposed above said soleplate and attached thereto, a steam labyrinth means in said soleplate which forms a continuous tortuous passageway connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom side of said soleplate, first means for feeding water at a relatively slow rate of flow from said tank to a first spot in said labyrinth means for generating steam which passes through said passageway and discharges at a relatively low velocity through said ports, second means for feeding water at a relatively fast rate of flow for a short time period from said tank to said labyrinth means at a second spot spaced from said first spot for generating steam which passes through said passageway and discharges at a relatively high velocity through said ports.

18. The electric steam iron of claim 17 wherein said first means includes a gravity feed valve disposed between said tank and said soleplate, said second means includes a pump for forcing water from said tank to said second spot.

19. The electric steam iron of claim 18 including a one-way valve connected to said pump and permitting fluid flow only in the direction from said pump to said labyrinth means.

20. The electric steam iron of claim 17 wherein said labyrinth means includes means for impeding waterflow from said first spot to said second spot wherein said second spot will remain relatively hot when said first means is feeding water to said first spot and said second means is not feeding water to said second spot.

21. The electric steam iron of claim 17 wherein said second means includes a pump for forcing water under pressure to said second spot, a handle secured to said soleplate, a spray nozzle mounted in said handle, conduit means connecting said pump and .said nozzle so that water from said tank can be sprayed from said nozzle, control means for selectively directing water from said pump to either said nozzle or said second spot.

22. The electric steam iron of claim 21 including a regulating means for controlling said first means, said pump and said control means wherein water from said tank can be selectively fed to said nozzle, said first spot and said second spot, said regulating means being positioned on said handle near the end thereof over said pump.

23. The electric steam iron of claim 18 including a handle secured to said soleplate, a pushbutton mounted for reciprocation on said handle and adapted to actuate said pump, control means for operating said gravity feed valve, said pushbutton and said control means being positioned adjacent each other, said pushbutton and said control means being adapted for independent operation so that water from said tank can be fed to said spots simultaneously or separately.

24. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate and an electric heater therefor, a water tank disposed above said soleplate and attached thereto, a steam labyrinth means in said soleplate connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom side of said soleplate, said soleplate including a cover which overlies at least a portion of said labyrinth means, first means for feeding water at a relatively low rate of flow from said tank to a first spot in said labyrinth means for generating steam which discharges at a relatively low velocity through said ports, a pump means for feeding water at a relatively high rate of flow from said tank to said labyrinth means at a second spot spaced from said first spot for generating steam which discharges at a relatively high velocity through said ports, said pump means being positioned in said tank with conduit means extending from said pump to the bottom of said tank, a hollow resilient connector positioned between said tank and said cover, said connector establishing fluid communication between said conduit means and an opening in said cover substantially above said second spot whereby water from said pump can be fed to said second spot.

25. The electric steam iron of claim 24 wherein said connector is resilient to establish a fluid seal with said conduit means and said cover, and said connector being sufficiently pliable to permit the escape of fluid if the pressure within said connector is excessive.

26. In an electric steam iron comprising a soleplate having an electric heater, said soleplate including a steam labyrinth forming an elongated continuous tortuous passageway extending to a plurality of discharge ports positioned at numerous points over the bottom surface of said soleplate, a water tank overlying said soleplate, a pump positioned within said tank, conduit means extending from said pump to a relatively small chamber in said soleplate which chamber is in fluid communication with said labyrinth by means of a second passageway so that water can quickly be pumped from said tank to said chamber where at least a portion of the water is converted into steam causing water and steam to move through said second passageway into said tortuous passageway with great speed, said labyrinth being provided with means for breaking the water from said small chamber into fine particles wherein steam and fine water particles discharge through said ports with great speed, said labyrinth means includes wall projections lying in the path of water coming from said small chamber and curved walls which change the direction of the water.

27. In the electric steam iron of claim 26 wherein said small chamber is positioned near to said electric heater to facilitate the heat flow thereto 28. In the electric steam iron of claim 26 including valve means between said tank and said labyrinth for feeding water into said tortuous passageway at a slower rate of flow than that from said pump, means for controlling said valve means independent of the operation of said pump whereby both said valve means and said pump can feed water to said soleplate simultaneously or at different times, the spot at which water is fed into sad labyrinth by said valve means being spaced from said small chamber for reducing the amount of heat loss by said small chamber due to water from said valve means contacting said spot.

29. In an electric steam iron comprising a soleplate having an electric heater, said soleplate including a steam labyrinth extending to a plurality of discharge ports positioned at numerous points over the bottom surface of said soleplate, a water tank overlying said soleplate, a pump positioned within said tank, conduit means extending from said pump to a relatively small chamber in said soleplate which chamber is in fluid communication with said labyrinth by means of a passageway so that water can quickly be pumped from said tank to said chamber where at least a portion of the water is converted into steam causing water and steam to move through said passageway into said labyrinth with great speed, said labyrinth being provided with means for breaking the water from said small chamber into fine particles wherein steam and fine water particles discharge through said ports with great speed, said labyrinth means includes wall projections lying in the path of water coming from said small chamber and curved walls which change the direction of the water, said passageway is provided with a dam wall for initially retaining water from said pump in said small chamber before the generation of steam in said chamber propels the water into said labyrinth, said dam wall reducing the cross-sectional area of said passageway at said dam wall.

30. An electric pressing iron comprising a soleplate and an electric heater therefor, said soleplate having a steam-generating cavity means which is in fluid communication with a plurality of steam discharge ports, a water tank overlying said soleplate, a pump means in fluid communication with said tank and adapted for pumping water therefrom to said cavity means at a high rate of flow and to a spray nozzle located above said soleplate, means for directing the water from said pump means to either said nozzle or said cavity means.

31. The electric pressing iron of claim 30 including valve means adapted for slowly feeding water from said tank into said cavity means.

32. The electric pressing iron of claim 30 including means for independently operating said valve means and said directmg means.

33. The electric pressing iron of claim 31 including a handle secured to said soleplate, said nozzle being associated with said handle and positioned to spray water in front of said soleplate, said pump being disposed in said tank, said directing means including a two-way valve means in said tank for directing water from said pump to either said nozzle or said cavity means.

UNKTED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTlFlCA'lE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,599,357 Dated August 17, 1971 Inventor(s) Jerry P. Gronwick and Donald J. Westphal It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 53, after the word "velocity" the following words were left out from a plurality of steam discharge ports on the bottom thereof or at a high velocity Column 3, line 58, the word as is left out before "viewed". Column 4, line 28, "it" should be its line 49,

--- or passageway should be inserted after "path". Column 5, line 64, "run" should be turn Column 8, line 10, second should be inserted before "chamber"; line 15, insert steam before "iron".

Signed and sealed this 8th day of May 1973.

A'tLGSb LDTLK'RD llfiLl YiCl'lflmJll. ROlL JPLT GOTTSCI'LLLK htuestlng; Ufflcer Commissioner of Patents 

1. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate, an electric heater for said soleplate, a water tank overlying said soleplate, said soleplate defining first and second steam-generating chambers both of which are in fluid communication with a tortuous steam passageway extending to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, a valve for permitting water to flow from said tank to said first steamgenerating chamber wherein the water is transformed into steam which passes through said passageway and is discharged through said ports, pump means for rapidly supplying water from said tank to said second steam-generating chamber wherein steam generated therein is forced out through said passageway and discharged from said ports with greater speed when water is pumped into said chamber than when water flows into said first chamber through said valve.
 2. The electric steam iron of claim 1 wherein said soleplate defines means for restricting the passage of steam and water from said second chamber to said first chamber.
 3. The electric iron of claim 2 wherein said soleplate is provided with means for restricting the flow of water from said first chamber from entering said second chamber.
 4. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate, an electric heater for said soleplate, a water tank overlying said soleplate, said soleplate defining first and second sTeam-generating chambers both of which are in fluid communication with a steam labyrinth extending to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, a valve for permitting water to flow from said tank to said first steam-generating chamber, pump means for rapidly supplying water from said tank to said second steam-generating chamber wherein steam can be forced out through said ports with greater speed when water is pumped into said second chamber than when water flows into said first chamber through said valve, a handle secured to said soleplate, a separate nozzle disposed of in the front end of said handle, a conduit means connecting said pump and said nozzle, and valve means for selectively directing water from said pump to either of said nozzle or said second chamber.
 5. The electric steam iron of claim 4 including means for controlling said valve, said valve means and said pump, said last-mentioned means being disposed at the front of said handle where it can be easily seen and operated by the user while holding said iron handle.
 6. The electric steam iron of claim 1 including a handle secured to said soleplate, a button which when pressed actuates said pump, said button being positioned on the top of said handle at the forward end thereof.
 7. In an electric steam iron comprising a cast soleplate having an electric heater embedded therein, a water tank overlying and secured to said soleplate, said soleplate being provided with a tortuous steam passageway connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, a first steam-generating chamber in said soleplate in fluid connection with said passageway, a valve for controlling the flow of water from said tank to said first chamber, a second steam-generating chamber being disposed near said heater and in fluid connection with said passageway, pump means for introducing water rapidly from said tank into said second chamber, means for impeding the flow of water from said valve to said second chamber.
 8. In the steam iron of claim 7 wherein said last-mentioned means is a wall extending transversely across a passageway between said second chamber and said steam passageway.
 9. In the steam iron of claim 8 wherein said wall reduces the cross-sectional area of said passageway with the result that a portion of the water introduced into said second chamber by said pump is converted into steam which propels the water over said wall with great velocity, said tortuous steam passageway having means for breaking into small particles the water from said second chamber and for converting at least a portion of the water particles into steam.
 10. An electric pressing steam iron comprising a cast soleplate having an electric heater embedded therein, a water tank overlying and secured to said soleplate, said soleplate being provided with a tortuous steam passageway connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, said soleplate defining a first steam-generating chamber in fluid connection with said passageway, means controlling the flow of water from said tank to said first chamber, said soleplate including a second steam-generating chamber connected to said passageway, pump means for introducing rapidly water from said tank into said second chamber, said soleplate forming a heat sink contiguous to said second chamber and said heater, said heat sink being remote from said first chamber so that the water entering therein is substantially ineffective in reducing the temperature of said heat sink whereby the water being fed into said first chamber does not inhibit the ability of said second chamber to quickly convert the water from said pump means into steam.
 11. The electric pressing steam iron of claim 10 including a second passageway connecting said first chamber with said tortuous steam passageway and a third passageway connecting said second chamber with said tortuous steam passageway, at least one of said second anD third passageways being provided with means for impeding the flow of water from said first chamber to said second chamber in order to prevent the water from said first chamber from cooling said second chamber.
 12. The electric pressing steam iron of claim 11 wherein said second and third passageways are angled with respect to each other whereby the steam and water from said second chamber tends to go into said tortuous steam passageway rather into said first chamber.
 13. The electric pressing steam iron of claim 10 including control means for regulating the flow of water from said tank to said chambers wherein water can selectively flow into both chambers simultaneously, into only said first chamber or into only said second chamber.
 14. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate having a U-shaped electric heater and a steam labyrinth connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom surface of said soleplate, a water tank overlying and secured to said soleplate, a relatively large steam-generating chamber in said soleplate lying within said U-shaped heater and connected to said labyrinth, means for permitting water to flow at a relatively slow rate from said tank to said large chamber for the generation of steam which discharges through said ports, a relatively small steam-generating chamber in said soleplate lying within said U-shaped heater and connected to said labyrinth, means for forcing water at a relatively fast rate of flow from said tank to said small chamber for generating steam which discharges through the same ports as the steam from said large chamber.
 15. The electric steam iron of claim 14 wherein said discharge ports are disposed on both sides of said heater for substantially its entire length.
 16. The electric steam iron of claim 14 wherein said chambers are positioned near the closed end of said heater, thermostatic control means for regulating the energization of said heater secured to said soleplate within said U-shaped heater near the open end thereof, said labyrinth extending between said chambers and the position where said thermostatic control means is secured to said soleplate.
 17. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate and an electric heater therefor, a water tank disposed above said soleplate and attached thereto, a steam labyrinth means in said soleplate which forms a continuous tortuous passageway connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom side of said soleplate, first means for feeding water at a relatively slow rate of flow from said tank to a first spot in said labyrinth means for generating steam which passes through said passageway and discharges at a relatively low velocity through said ports, second means for feeding water at a relatively fast rate of flow for a short time period from said tank to said labyrinth means at a second spot spaced from said first spot for generating steam which passes through said passageway and discharges at a relatively high velocity through said ports.
 18. The electric steam iron of claim 17 wherein said first means includes a gravity feed valve disposed between said tank and said soleplate, said second means includes a pump for forcing water from said tank to said second spot.
 19. The electric steam iron of claim 18 including a one-way valve connected to said pump and permitting fluid flow only in the direction from said pump to said labyrinth means.
 20. The electric steam iron of claim 17 wherein said labyrinth means includes means for impeding waterflow from said first spot to said second spot wherein said second spot will remain relatively hot when said first means is feeding water to said first spot and said second means is not feeding water to said second spot.
 21. The electric steam iron of claim 17 wherein said second means includes a pump for forcing water under pressure to said second spot, a handle secured to said soleplate, a spray nozzle mounted in said handle, conduit means connecting said pump and said nozzle sO that water from said tank can be sprayed from said nozzle, control means for selectively directing water from said pump to either said nozzle or said second spot.
 22. The electric steam iron of claim 21 including a regulating means for controlling said first means, said pump and said control means wherein water from said tank can be selectively fed to said nozzle, said first spot and said second spot, said regulating means being positioned on said handle near the end thereof over said pump.
 23. The electric steam iron of claim 18 including a handle secured to said soleplate, a pushbutton mounted for reciprocation on said handle and adapted to actuate said pump, control means for operating said gravity feed valve, said pushbutton and said control means being positioned adjacent each other, said pushbutton and said control means being adapted for independent operation so that water from said tank can be fed to said spots simultaneously or separately.
 24. An electric steam iron comprising a soleplate and an electric heater therefor, a water tank disposed above said soleplate and attached thereto, a steam labyrinth means in said soleplate connected to a plurality of steam discharge ports in the bottom side of said soleplate, said soleplate including a cover which overlies at least a portion of said labyrinth means, first means for feeding water at a relatively low rate of flow from said tank to a first spot in said labyrinth means for generating steam which discharges at a relatively low velocity through said ports, a pump means for feeding water at a relatively high rate of flow from said tank to said labyrinth means at a second spot spaced from said first spot for generating steam which discharges at a relatively high velocity through said ports, said pump means being positioned in said tank with conduit means extending from said pump to the bottom of said tank, a hollow resilient connector positioned between said tank and said cover, said connector establishing fluid communication between said conduit means and an opening in said cover substantially above said second spot whereby water from said pump can be fed to said second spot.
 25. The electric steam iron of claim 24 wherein said connector is resilient to establish a fluid seal with said conduit means and said cover, and said connector being sufficiently pliable to permit the escape of fluid if the pressure within said connector is excessive.
 26. In an electric steam iron comprising a soleplate having an electric heater, said soleplate including a steam labyrinth forming an elongated continuous tortuous passageway extending to a plurality of discharge ports positioned at numerous points over the bottom surface of said soleplate, a water tank overlying said soleplate, a pump positioned within said tank, conduit means extending from said pump to a relatively small chamber in said soleplate which chamber is in fluid communication with said labyrinth by means of a second passageway so that water can quickly be pumped from said tank to said chamber where at least a portion of the water is converted into steam causing water and steam to move through said second passageway into said tortuous passageway with great speed, said labyrinth being provided with means for breaking the water from said small chamber into fine particles wherein steam and fine water particles discharge through said ports with great speed, said labyrinth means includes wall projections lying in the path of water coming from said small chamber and curved walls which change the direction of the water.
 27. In the electric steam iron of claim 26 wherein said small chamber is positioned near to said electric heater to facilitate the heat flow thereto
 28. In the electric steam iron of claim 26 including valve means between said tank and said labyrinth for feeding water into said tortuous passageway at a slower rate of flow than that from said pump, means for controlling said valve means independent of the operation of said pump whereby both Said valve means and said pump can feed water to said soleplate simultaneously or at different times, the spot at which water is fed into sad labyrinth by said valve means being spaced from said small chamber for reducing the amount of heat loss by said small chamber due to water from said valve means contacting said spot.
 29. In an electric steam iron comprising a soleplate having an electric heater, said soleplate including a steam labyrinth extending to a plurality of discharge ports positioned at numerous points over the bottom surface of said soleplate, a water tank overlying said soleplate, a pump positioned within said tank, conduit means extending from said pump to a relatively small chamber in said soleplate which chamber is in fluid communication with said labyrinth by means of a passageway so that water can quickly be pumped from said tank to said chamber where at least a portion of the water is converted into steam causing water and steam to move through said passageway into said labyrinth with great speed, said labyrinth being provided with means for breaking the water from said small chamber into fine particles wherein steam and fine water particles discharge through said ports with great speed, said labyrinth means includes wall projections lying in the path of water coming from said small chamber and curved walls which change the direction of the water, said passageway is provided with a dam wall for initially retaining water from said pump in said small chamber before the generation of steam in said chamber propels the water into said labyrinth, said dam wall reducing the cross-sectional area of said passageway at said dam wall.
 30. An electric pressing iron comprising a soleplate and an electric heater therefor, said soleplate having a steam-generating cavity means which is in fluid communication with a plurality of steam discharge ports, a water tank overlying said soleplate, a pump means in fluid communication with said tank and adapted for pumping water therefrom to said cavity means at a high rate of flow and to a spray nozzle located above said soleplate, means for directing the water from said pump means to either said nozzle or said cavity means.
 31. The electric pressing iron of claim 30 including valve means adapted for slowly feeding water from said tank into said cavity means.
 32. The electric pressing iron of claim 30 including means for independently operating said valve means and said directing means.
 33. The electric pressing iron of claim 31 including a handle secured to said soleplate, said nozzle being associated with said handle and positioned to spray water in front of said soleplate, said pump being disposed in said tank, said directing means including a two-way valve means in said tank for directing water from said pump to either said nozzle or said cavity means. 